Best Smart Plugs and Outlets

Like many automated devices today, smart plugs, smart switches, and smart outlets come packed with features like voice control, energy usage alerts, and programmable scenes and schedules. But the best smart plugs and outlets are the ones that do the job so well, you don’t even know they’re there. We looked for smart plugs and outlets that offer superior control and compatibility but won’t hog your socket space or stick out like a sore thumb.

The Wemo Smart Plug may be compact, but it’s mighty in terms of reliability and design. It’s one of the easiest smart plugs to use and has voice command control across the widest variety of platforms, including Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant, and IFTTT.

One of the advantages of this TP-Link Kasa smart plug is the energy monitoring it provides. Detailed information about your energy usage enables you to lower your bills by shutting off devices that use the most power. While no home hub is required, you can use voice commands through Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant. Unfortunately, there's no Apple HomeKit support on this smart plug.

If you have a Z-Wave-compatible smart hub, you can remotely control devices and appliances connected to the GE smart outlet, as well as schedule events and create scenes.

GE’s Enbrighten does require a Z-Wave certified gateway, and it’s compatible with Z-Wave home hubs such as Aeotec Smart Home Hub. But because it’s not compatible with Zigbee, it won’t connect to Alexa without an Amazon hub like the Echo. It also lacks the energy usage features and “away mode” options of the smart plugs we recommend.

Just put in the socket and connect up to two lamps for dimming function that you can control through voice commands or a smartphone app. The Caseta dimmer is compatible with Amazon, Apple, Google, Nest, and more, although it does requires a smart bridge.

Water-resistant and equipped with surge protection, the Wyze Plug Outdoor is an excellent solution for holiday lights, sprinklers, and barbecues. You can set up timers and control it remotely on the Wyze app as well as use voice commands through Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

Power: Identify what lights or appliances you want the smart plug to handle, and make sure the one you choose is up to the task in terms of wattage and functionality.

Design: Determine the outlet you’ll want to use, other nearby devices, and available socket space. For constricted spaces you may need a mini, stackable version to avoid cord congestion.

Schedules and scenes: These customizable options vary from product to product, so pay attention to how the features are described. Schedules allow you to set on and off times while scenes are more sophisticated functions that let you control a group of lights.

Compatibility: You’ll want to select a smart plug or outlet that works with your existing automation platform. If you don’t have a home hub, stick to smart plugs or outlets that are widely compatible so you don’t have to worry about issues down the road.

Water-resistance: Smart plugs designed to handle outdoor electronics and devices need to be weatherproof and offer additional protections like surge control to avoid potential hazards.

We sifted through reviews of countless smart plugs and outlets to determine which products made the cut. Recommendations from experts also informed our decision, as well as brand reviews from the Better Business Bureau.

The methodology we stick to means we not only inspect popular products but also scour the research to determine safety, reliability, and value.

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